The next day.
Early morning.
Ning Rongrong lay on her little bed, her brows tightly furrowed.
Countless unfamiliar yet crystal-clear memories surged through her mind like a tide.
In the resplendent halls of the Divine Realm, she had worn magnificent nine-colored robes, a holy aura surrounding her. That was what she had looked like as the Nine-Colored Goddess.
God of Food Oscar had stood at her side, but his eyes held none of the deep affection he'd had in his previous life. All that remained was greed for power and an obsession with women. Their bond had long since been worn away by the flood of desire.
What frightened her even more was the pitch-black Black Shadow that emerged from the void, radiating a terrifying aura that threatened to devour everything. It suddenly engulfed her divine soul, and an icy chill and the despair of having everything taken from her swept through her in an instant.
"No!"
Ning Rongrong jolted awake, gasping for breath, her heart pounding as if it would leap from her chest.
She instinctively felt at her divine soul. Only after sensing that it was whole and safe did she relax a little, but the terror of being possessed still lingered in her mind, impossible to shake.
She looked up. The sky outside was already bright, and the sunlight was so dazzling she could barely keep her eyes open.
Only then did she realize that she had spent the entire night sleeping in Fu Qin's bed.
The passionate embrace of the previous night played back in her mind like a movie. Her cheeks flushed scarlet, yet her heart was filled with complicated emotions.
The memories of her previous life, everything in the Divine Realm, and that terrifying Black Shadow.
She remembered it all!
Ning Rongrong struggled to get out of bed. She had to return to her dorm as soon as possible and sort through those jumbled memories.
But the moment her feet touched the ground, a searing pain flared in her lower abdomen. It was what Fu Qin had left her with last night, sharp and real, a reminder that none of it had been a dream.
She looked down at her neatly arranged clothes, then touched her aching abdomen. A thought suddenly flashed through her mind.
Had Tang San, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun already recovered their memories of their previous lives?
Tang San's composure and scheming, his maturity far beyond his years.
Xiao Wu's unusually strong attachment to Fu Qin, as if she had already chosen him.
The conflict between Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, and the jealousy and malice hidden beneath Oscar's honest exterior... It all proved her suspicions!
Only she and Zhu Zhuqing had been kept in the dark. It wasn't until last night, in the throes of passion with Fu Qin, that she had unexpectedly awakened her memories of her previous life!
A chill rose from the soles of Ning Rongrong's feet. She didn't dare think any further.
The crisis in the Divine Realm, the threat of that Black Shadow, and the "companions" around her who had already regained their memories all filled her with fear.
She had to find Xiao Wu as soon as possible and tell her that she had recovered her memories too. At the same time, she was more certain than ever that Fu Qin was the only person she could trust and rely on in this life.
Ning Rongrong endured the searing pain in her lower abdomen and stumbled toward the door.
All she wanted was to get out of there as quickly as possible, but she didn't notice the threshold.
"Thud!"
Her foot caught, and Ning Rongrong lost her balance and pitched forward.
The sudden sensation of falling made her squeeze her eyes shut. This is bad!
But the pain she expected never came.
Instead, she was caught in a warm, sturdy embrace. A familiar, clean scent filled her nose, and her taut nerves relaxed at once.
Ning Rongrong slowly opened her eyes. Fu Qin's handsome face, full of concern, came into view.
His gaze was gentle and deep, like an ocean that could embrace anything. The fear and unease in her heart eased away in an instant.
"Why are you so careless?" Fu Qin's voice held a hint of reproach, but far more concern.
He gently helped Ning Rongrong steady herself, his large hand settling naturally around her waist. Feeling her body tremble, he furrowed his brows even deeper. "Are you feeling unwell?"
Feeling the warmth of Fu Qin's palm, Ning Rongrong couldn't hold back any longer. Her eyes reddened, and tears welled up at once.
She threw herself into Fu Qin's arms, wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, buried her face against his chest, and burst into tears.
"Brother Fu Qin... Sob..."
Her grievances, fear, helplessness, and confusion after awakening her memories of her previous life all burst forth at once.
She didn't know how to explain any of this to Fu Qin or how to face the crisis ahead. All she could do was pour out every emotion into the arms of the man she relied on so deeply.
Feeling the fragility and helplessness of the girl in his arms, Fu Qin was filled with confusion.
He gently patted Ning Rongrong's back, soothing her with tender strokes. He didn't press her for an explanation; his actions alone told her that he would stay by her side.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here." Fu Qin's voice was low and firm, with a reassuring magic to it.
"No matter what happened, I'll protect you. I won't let anyone hurt you."
Ning Rongrong cried in Fu Qin's arms for a long time before her emotions gradually settled.
She lifted her head and looked at Fu Qin through tear-filled eyes. Her gaze was full of dependence. "Brother Fu Qin, I... You'll always protect Rongrong, right?"
Looking at her swollen eyes, Fu Qin understood.
He could sense a subtle change in Ning Rongrong's aura. It had gained a touch of holiness and age, so she had clearly awakened memories of her previous life.
But when he saw Ning Rongrong's personal panel, he quickly realized why she had acted this way.
[Name: Ning Rongrong (Nine-Colored Goddess Reincarnated) True Age: 20,038 Soul Power: Level 29 Martial Soul: Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Constitution: Blue Silver Emperor Bloodline (Unawakened) Identity: Reincarnation of the Nine-Colored Goddess, Young Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Affection: 500 (Regards him as the only person she can rely on)]
He didn't point it out. He simply wiped the tears from her face and said gently, "All right, all right. Don't worry, little Rongrong. I'll protect you forever."
The commotion from Ning Rongrong crying in Fu Qin's arms had eventually stirred Xiao Wu in the next room.
The door opened softly. Xiao Wu stood in the doorway in pink pajamas, still bleary-eyed with sleep. But when she saw Ning Rongrong in Fu Qin's arms, tear-streaked and frightened,
and noticed her slightly disheveled clothes and unsteady stance, the drowsiness vanished from her eyes, replaced by understanding and solemnity.
When Ning Rongrong looked up and saw Xiao Wu, the panic in her heart suddenly settled.
After awakening her memories of her previous life, she immediately understood that Xiao Wu had regained her awareness long ago.
A spark lit up in her eyes: the relief of finding an ally.
"Rongrong, what happened?" Xiao Wu hurried forward and naturally supported Ning Rongrong's unsteady body.
Her fingertips brushed Ning Rongrong's arm as she discreetly squeezed her wrist, giving her a look that said, I'm here.
"I... I'm fine. I just tripped and fell." Ning Rongrong immediately understood and followed Xiao Wu's lead, covering for what had happened. Her voice still trembled with unshed sobs.